The Proud Heritage of HMCS Algonquin

Todays HMCS Algonquin Commissioned 3 November 1973

HMCS ALGONQUIN is one of four Tribal class destroyers built for the Canadian Navy in the early 1970s.  The name “Algonquin” means “At the place of spearing fish and eels.”  This name was connected to a tribe of First Nations people who ranged throughout a vast territory from Georgian Bay in the West, to the St-Maurice River in the East, and who made their living by hunting and fishing.  The Algonquin people provided an honourable heritage for the ships, which were to bear the name of their tribe.

The current HMCS ALGONQUIN is the second ship in the Canadian Navy to bear this proud name.  The first HMCS ALGONQUIN was launched in September 1943 as the British “V” Class Fleet Destroyer, HMS VALENTINE.  After negotiations between the British and the Canadian government, HMS VALENTINE was obtained by the latter and commissioned HMCS ALGONQUIN in February, 1944.  For more than twenty years, HMCS ALGONQUIN was a proud and worthy fleet asset.  Finally in 1971 she was paid off and disposed of through Crown Assets.  Over the years she received numerous battle honours which are worn with pride on the new ALGONQUIN.

The First HMCS Algonquin Launched Septermber 1943

The second HMCS ALGONQUIN was built by Davie Shipbuilding Ltd. In Lauzon, Quebec and was commissioned on the 3^rd of November 1973, becoming the fourth tribal class destroyer to be delivered to the fleet.  ALGONQUIN was originally designed for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), however, all of the Tribal class destroyers have been transformed into modern Task Group Command and Area Air Defence ships while retaining their significant ASW capability.  This change was completed through the Tribal Update and Modernization Project (TRUMP).  With an extended life, new electrical, propulsion and combat systems, HMCS ALGONQUIN has become one of the most capable vessels of its size in the world.

ALGONQUIN has participated in a wide variety of operations ranging from search and rescue to sovereignty patrols and has participated in a number of multi-national training exercises.  On March 23, 2002, ALGONQUIN was deployed on OP APOLLO (Canada’s contribution to the campaign against terrorism), as the Flag Ship for the Canadian Task Group in the Gulf of Oman.  During the deployment ALGONQUIN coordinated the efforts of the Canadian Task Group and patrolled the Gulf of Oman conducting Leadership Interdiction Operations.  ALGONQUIN returned on October 14, 2002, after covering thousands of nautical miles and spending nearly 7 months at sea.

BATTLE HONOURS WORN WITH PRIDE WITH THE PRESENT HMCS ALGONQUIN

• Norway 1944
• Normandy 1944
• Artic 1944-1945

 

Date modified:

2/19/2004

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